New Zealand Freshwater Fish

DSC_9640 Pouched lamprey (Geotria australis) belong to an order of jawless fish and are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. While some such as this species are well known for their ability to bore into the flesh of other fish to suck their blood, around 50% of lamprey species are not parasitic. This migratory adult may spend up to 16 months in freshwater before spawning. Niagra River, Catlins *